dk: I believe there are ways that government can contribute to making it better. For starters, outlawing the practices that msot Americans find repugnant. For another, reforming that part of our legal system that contributes to higher medical costs.

Later on, to be honest, is where I have a problem. Idealistically, I believe in the capitalist system. However, the equation of "maximize shareholder returns" doesn't morally sit well with me when the product is the care and handling of sick people.

It appears that we're stuck with two choices. One is the chilling prospect of a true government takeover of health care - like the UK and Canada have. The other is a huge giveaway to the very insurance companies that contributed to the mess we're in now!

I'm *inclined* to believe, at the moment, that what we need is a combination of both. It's just that I have very little confidence in our government's ability to hold up it's end of a public/private partnership.